What's the deal? That's what some Democratic lawyers are asking in the wake of Republican Bernalillo County Metro Court Judge Denise Barela Shepherd's climb up the judicial ladder, and possibly into a Bernalillo County District Court judge seat. Here's the scoop: The Judicial Nominating Commission sent four names to Governor Bill to fill the vacancy created by retiring Democrat District Judge Susan Conway. But, as is his privilege, he rejected the four with no explanation (Democrats among them) and asked for more names. What he got back on a 13 to 5 vote by the commission was the name of Judge Shepherd. And that's when Democrat attorneys hit the roof.
The lawyers claim the surfacing of the GOP's Barela-Shepherd is part of a political deal between the Guv and GOP Senator Pete Domenici. Said one: "Her husband is a trial lawyer and Republican who served as a State Fair Commissioner under Gov. Johnson and has ties to Pete. Some of us think the move toward Denise is part of a deal Bill cut with Pete to get his support for the constitutional amendment in September."
Quite a hit there and, of course, delivered under the cloak of anonymity. Political tongues have been wagging since Pete and Bill met before the September special election and then announced that Pete was reversing course and supporting the measure to increase distributions from the state permanent fund. It narrowly won voter approval. Bill and Pete were asked point-blank after the meeting if there had been any favors pledged for Pete's turnabout. Both men flatly denied the suggestion.
But not all are buying in. One of the disgruntled attorneys said, "it's our turn. For eight years we were in the desert. Johnson loaded up the judgeships with Republicans. Now we have a Democratic governor and we don't want more of the same. This thing isn't sitting well with a lot of us," he sniped.
The mystery continues over what, if any deal, Pete and Bill carved out. The possible appointment by Bill of Barela-Shepherd is the latest evidence the Pete-Bill deal theorists are offering up. Other theory's include the claim that Bill told Pete he would not get involved in efforts to oust Republican Congresswoman Heather Wilson.
Another reason being offered for Big Bill possibly going with Shepherd, according to a source close to the action: "If Denise is removed from Metro Court, then Republican judge Judy Nakamura, the presiding judge, could lose her razor thin majority of metro judges. That would be a Democrat reason to get rid of one or two Republican Metro Court judges. There is budget money, the court administrator position, management of several projects and all the metro court contracts at stake."
The plot is indeed thick.
Richardson has 30 days to make the judge appointment or decline and leave it to the State Supreme Court. Meanwhile, all this and more will continue to be fodder for the alligators populating the rivers of La Politica.
GOVERNOR GARY 'NOT HAPPY' WITH GOP INFIGHTING
Close associates of former GOP NM Governor Johnson tell "New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan" he is "not happy" with the recent party infighting and is particularly disturbed by some of the sniper tactics that have been employed. Johnson has not publicly commented on the war raging in the GOP, but our sources say "he has bridges to both sides of the battle, and weighs in quietly with his opinions." Is Johnson's pledge never to seek political office again for real? "It is if his wife Dee has anything to say," quipped one of the former Gov's close friends.
Johnson's friends also tell me he is actively following the fiscal policies of Gov. Bill. "He adds up how much of the surplus that he left has been spent and he says it's already all gone." That sure sounds like someone who is still engaged with the game, even if currently on the bench. We'll keep you posted.
DENNIS AND THE DUKE CITY
NM political junkie Dennis Domrzalski currently spills ink for the NM Biz Weekly, but keeps his political credentials updated and his readers amused on his own web site. We recommend a visit. www.zalski.com For years Dennis was a tough political reporter for the ABQ Trib and these days can be seen opining Sunday morning's on KOB-TV with host Monica Armenta.
As always, thanks for tuning in. Bookmark our site--JOEMONAHANSNNEWMEXICO.BLOGSPOT.COM--and pass it on to your friends.
(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2003
Not for reproduction without permission of the author